Federer Starts 2011 by Winning Qatar Open

Roger Federer defeated Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 in the finals to capture his third Qatar Open Tennis title and made an auspicious start for his campaign in 2011.

Photo by Hassan Ammar/AP
from ESPN/Tennis

After ending 2010 with a title he won against world no. 1 & main rival Rafael Nadal, Federer picked up where he left off. He never dropped a set in the whole Qatar Open tournament, winning it this year 2011 and also in 2005 & 2006.

Davydenko, who defeated an ailing Nadal in the semis, was overmatched in the finals, even saying he had no chance against the fast and fine form of Federer.

Federer's win augurs well for his preparation in defending his Australian Open crown. However, he downplays his performance in this tournament by saying he's not yet on the level that he wants to be for the first grand slam of year.